Nothing leaves you scared than learning you’re sick, and that you require medical attention, and that you need to be transported to a hospital. Talk about losing control, and feeling incapacitated upon seeing the red, bold and bright emergency sign appear before you. The exasperation is heightened when an emergency room resident approaches you, a chart in hand, explaining and mumbling some medical gibberish, summarizing as to why you need to undergo such a laboratory exam or medical procedure. On the side, the IV therapy nurse in charge of your care, gloves in hand, ties this rubber tourniquet to your arm, and looks for a viable vein, sticks a needle to your hand, and adjusts the IV fluid lines, and tapes them to your arm. No more fear when you have an online medical magazine blog handy.

Medical situations bring out in the open a mix of emotions, deeply rooted in dread, fear, helplessness, lack of trust, rancor, and loss of control over a situation. Anxiety is on the rise, leaving one vexed, and vulnerable as one for answers to questions. Agitated family or friends create a stir, demanding medical personnel that immediate care is to be given you at once, and press for questions about the nature of your condition, but they are somewhere else attending to another patient within the vicinity. In the midst of all these difficulties, what is the best way to grab the bull by its horns? Our online medical magazine blog suggests the following tips to aid you in stress management.

First is to acknowledge that there is a medical situation that needs to be dealt with. Preparation is king. For example, if this was a mother about to go into Caesarean section delivery in a few months, it is but practical for parents to organize the things that will be needed like the mother’s and father’s bags respectively. When the mother announces that it’s time, all that needs to be done is to pick up the bag, go to the car, and head for the birthing facility or hospital of choice. Here is a list to go over through in order to give one an idea of what to bring:

Telephone numbers of family members, admitting physician, and the hospital

Extra bags

Healthcare or insurance policy documents

Second, is to take control of emotions. Objectivity and strategy are the keys needed to put matters into perspective. Panicking is not the solution in dealing with a medical situation. Panic makes everything worse. While it is important to admit and recognize the emotions that one is experiencing, objectivity now helps one to plan the course of action that needs to be taken.

Third is to know your basic patient rights. The Bill of Rights explains and gives what is due you. These are usually displayed in full view in your choice of hospital’s lobby, reception area, or the doctor’s offices. Mainly what this talks about is the informed consent. Here is a list provided in order to assess this:

Awareness of the patient about his or her condition, and the circumstances that may have brought about its appearance

Awareness of the immediate family about the condition and the progression of the illness

Medical procedure and laboratory examinations thoroughly explained

Outcome for corresponding medical procedure or laboratory exam

The affirmed patient consent form signed by the patient or immediate family member after explanation of nature of the condition, the medical procedure, and prognosis

When in doubt, feel free to ask the front desk for hospital admission guidelines, clinic schedules of the doctors, policies, protocol, or what health insurance is accredited. If the hospital has a website, feel free to check it out and browse for their available services. Familiarize yourself with the different departments and sections of the facility.

The fourth step to take is to never be afraid to ask the medical personnel questions. Immediate family members must be encouraged to make queries on matters that needs clarification like the length of hospital stay, mode of treatment to be given, the names of medications being given to the patient.

We are glad to be of help to you through this online medical magazine. It’s our little way of giving the support you need for this tough times, and we encourage you to explore the blog further and expand your medical knowledge.